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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, August 23, 2009

CFB: Top 25 Countdown: No. 20 Georgia


By Randall Perry
McClatchy Newspapers

No. 20 Georgia
Coach: Mark Richt

Record: 82-22, 8 years
Last season: 10-3, 6-2 SEC
Bowl game: Beat Michigan State 24-12 in the Capital One Bowl.
Overview: SEC powers reload instead of rebuild. In Georgia’s case this season that could be easier said than done. The Bulldogs lost two first-round draft picks out of its backfield — No. 1 pick, quarterback Matthew Stafford and the No. 12 pick, running back Knowshon Moreno. The Bulldogs also must repair a leaky defense in one of the toughest conferences in the country.
Key returnees: WR A.J. Green, So; DT Jeff Owens, Sr.; LB Rennie Curran, Jr.; CB Prince Miller, Sr.; FS Reshad Jones, Jr.
Why Georgia is dangerous: Receiver A.J. Green had 963 yards in receptions as a freshman last season and has the look of a future first-round draft pick. One thing Georgia always has is talent ... and lots of it.
Why Georgia is vulnerable: Georgia had some awful defensive games last season that had fans complaining about defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.. The Bulldogs gave up 41 points to Alabama, 45 to Georgia Tech and 49 to Florida. The offensive line remains a work in progress and the Bulldogs must break in a new quarterback and running back.
Prediction: It’s hard to predict a rough season for Georgia because of its talent. But the Bulldogs have road games against Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Tennessee and Georgia Tech. A home game against LSU could be a problem, and then there’s that outdoor cocktail party against Florida with which to deal. Six to eight victories are most likely.